Sullivan said he will run for lieutenant governor

ANCHORAGE — The mayor of Alaska’s largest city announced plans to run for lieutenant governor next year, a day after Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell said he was running for U.S. Senate.

Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan joins Republican Sen. Lesil McGuire and Democrat Bob Williams, a Palmer math teacher, as those who are interested in the job.

Sullivan, in a statement early Wednesday, said he decided to run “because of my heartfelt love for Alaska and my desire to continue to serve the state during this very challenging yet important time in our history.” He said the decision wasn’t easy; if successful, he would leave the mayor’s office during the midst of his term. He was re-elected last year.

He said Anchorage has made significant strides during his time in office, including restoring “fiscal health” to the city while holding down property tax increases and securing an upgraded bond rating. He touted investments in public safety and his role in things like “reforming labor laws to reflect the economic reality of our community.”

The Anchorage Assembly earlier this year passed a controversial rewrite of city labor laws proposed by Sullivan to limit the power of unions representing municipal employees and save money.

“I truly believe I can use the skills I have sharpened over many years of public service and private sector entrepreneurship to help our state achieve its true potential for the benefit of all Alaskans,” he said.

Duties of the lieutenant governor include overseeing state elections, publishing and distributing the state constitution and overseeing commercial use of the Alaska State Seal. The lieutenant governor can take on additional responsibilities as delegated by the governor.